Welcome to southwestern New Mexico, where public lands offer an amazing diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities! BLM's Las Cruces District Office manages 5.4 million acres of public land from the western side of the Guadalupe Mountains to the Arizona border, and from Sierra County and the southern edge of the Gila National Forest to the Mexican border. This area is home to the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, which includes majestic, scenic mountain ranges jutting from the desert floor, and towering over the surrounding desert. The confluence of the Chihuahuan desert, Rocky Mountains, great plains, Sonoran desert, and Sierra Madre make the area the most biologically and recreationally diverse region of New Mexico.

There are over 45,000 miles of roads and trails that provide access to most areas of public land here, and offer vehicle recreation opportunities ranging from scenic drives on maintained roads to extreme four-wheel driving, not to mention all-terrain vehicle and mountain bike trails. Wildlife watching and hunting are available throughout the year, with seasons for big game, including deer, oryx, ibex, antelope, desert bighorn sheep, Barbary sheep, javelina, elk, and cougar. Small game hunting here is exceptional for rabbits, quail, and dove. These public lands also include developed picnic and campgrounds, hiking trails, scenic byways, historic and prehistoric sites, rockhounding, mountaineering, and even a little fishing.

Because of the range of habitat types and elevations, it is important to prepare carefully for outdoor recreation in this area. Temperatures can vary from well below freezing in the winter to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, so be sure to take appropriate clothing with you, and always carry extra water in the desert. Come prepared for the environment and come prepared for fun!